Warmer days

Dearest Ruby,
         The days are starting to get warmer. You're basking in the sun !

 

What a lovely dress you are wearing.

 



Funny!
 

Can you see the bright yellow Forsythia in the background ?





Stretch .....!
 

 
Tulips and Primroses....

and blossom on the Cherry Tree. 

We'll be spending more time out here seeing how the seasons change.

 

Love and hugs,

Nana   x

Enjoying the Spring, planning for summer !

Dearest Ruby,
    The sun is shining , it's warm and yesterday we did the first cut of our grass. Your little lawn we have left though, to allow for the crocus bulbs to properly die down and put all the goodness back into the soil.

 

Don't you just love the fluffy bits of your willow tree.

Cowslips are now in flower underneath.

 

 

I had to capture the cherry tree, now in full blossom.

 

So beautiful !

 

Primroses, ever faithfully appear....

 

Flowering in your rock garden are these deep pink flowers.

 

Elsewhere, tulips are blooming....

I have planted some in your garden, but they haven't yet shown their faces.

Yesterday I also got busy with planting a selection of summer bulbs to give us a fine display later on.

You showed me your garden at your house yesterday too. You have been digging the soil and preparing the ground with Mummy to plant your summer flowering bulbs too. I'm told you didn't mind getting your hands dirty either !

You even lent Mummy your tools to help you.


Love and hugs,    Nana x

Ruby's garden in the springtime.

Dearest Ruby,
          Here we are in March 2015. Your garden has come alive with purple Crocuses, popping out all over your lawn. What a sight to cheer the day, a great success from our planting of bulbs in the autumn.

 

The snowdrops underneath the cherry tree didn't make so much of a display and so I have imported a couple from Norfolk when I visited Great Grandma recently.

 

Behind them you can see the primroses. Aren't they beautiful.

 

One solitary daffodil has come into flower and doesn't disappoint us,

and the pussy willow is well established now.

 



 

It looks like we are back again for a new season !

 

Love and hugs,   Nana x

Valentines Day

Dearest Ruby,

         I've written you a little poem because today you have come to stay for another sleep-over.

 

RUBY

Little one, the joy you bring

Upon your greeting , my heart does sing.

You sit beside me snuggled close

Sharing stories, touch my nose.

Out come toys, puzzles and books

Play hide and seek, give me looks.

We laugh together, sing songs and pray

Say Night-night at close of day.

 

             I couldn't resist a little ditty to be a reminder of our times together and a snapshot of you dear Ruby, at this age. You are growing up so fast !

 

 Love and hugs,   Nana x

 

                                       



P.S.

Dearest Ruby,
        Well Ruby, we are coming to the end of our colourful gardening season. We are still going to continue to have so much fun in your garden as we welcome new seasons in and come up with fresh ideas. A garden never stands still and neither will we!

        It's not really a 'Goodbye' because we have shown just how much joy your garden can bring and all that we do besides. One day I will give you this record of our times shared together in the Spring and Summer of 2014. I expect your little garden will be unrecognizable in years to come as you will grow with it, and it will adapt to grow your favourite flowers and other shrubs will become established. I hope you will hold some precious memories and go on to enjoy your own creative and fun ideas.
        I won't be far behind though, encouraging you and helping you, with all those little tasks and following through with your artistic flare. We will have such fun together.
        I hope you enjoy reading all your 'Letters from Nana' in this blog, and seeing the pictures of when you were small.

 

'When you were small.'

Amazing Baby Memories

 

 

This will help you remember.

 

Love and hugs,    Nana x

    

     

Feed the Birds

Dearest Ruby,
         It's late summer now, approaching Autumn, but still with plenty of sunshine around.

There isn't so much to do out in your garden. We've been deadheading the Cosmos to keep it flowering as long as possible and the 'Ruby Rose' too.

         So, our attention has turned to looking out for the birds !

 

I found I have some bird seed...

You took some in your hand but you couldn't reach the feeder to put it in the saucer.

 



 

So you put the seed on the lid of the box instead.

 

Then I tipped it onto the saucer.

 

There we are!

We'll add a fat ball when the days get colder because really there is plenty of insects and autumn berries for them still to eat from the garden.

They will get to know it's there though.

 

Indoors we have made a pudding for your tea, Chocolate Crackolat, a good old family favourite.

 

 

Umm! Well done Ruby... one of your first attempts to feed yourself unaided. Look at Grandad sitting back so relaxed.

 

It takes some concentration...

 

to keep it on the spoon.

 

 

Pop it in....

 

...and come back for more,

 because that's a big pudding to get through.

I'll help you eat it, but I think some will find it's way home for you to guzzle later.

 

 

Love and hugs,    Nana x

 

 

 

Spring Bulbs

Dearest Ruby,
        What has Nana been up to in your garden this week?!!  All you can see are funny holes all in the lawn.

 

   Well Ruby, hopefully next spring you will be amazed at the fine display of spring flowers you will see through from February to June! I have planted all of 203 bulbs.

I've listed them here for future reference, because we will soon forget what I planted, but I will keep you guessing as to where. ;-)

 

25 single Snowdrops expected to flower February/March  4" high

60 Ruby Giant Crocus .... February/March  3"

8 fragrant dwarf Iris Reticulata 'Katherine Hodgkin' .... February/March  5"

35 Minnow Narcissi .... March/April  10"

10 Little Gem Narcissus ....March/April  8"

20 Angelique Tulips .... April/May  18"

30 Snake's Head Fritillaria .... April/May  8"

15 Purple Sensation Allium .... May/June  36"

 



 

I was particularly pleased to find the crocus' are called 'Ruby', even though they are a definite purple! No surprises here, I have planted them randomly in the lawn. You throw the bulbs out and dig each one a hole just where they land.

The grass will soon grow over the holes and then we will wait on into the new year to see the results of all that hard work.

 

 

Love and hugs,   Nana x